So basically anything that is not WASPY is tacky?

[Anonymous]

According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

[Anonymous]

Yeah that's the impression I am getting! Anything elegant must also have a WASPY derivation or cost tons of money, apparently (according to the other thread).

I find these threads entertaining in part because they bear no resemblance to my life. I do not sit around debating if things are tacky. If someone invites me to a bridal shower, I may decline because I find showers insanely boring, but not because I am judging the bride. If someone invites me to a third baby shower I will happily go celebrate (although I dislike baby showers too). I love potlucks, pizza parties, etc. We regularly host people for low-key latke parties. Friends bring dessert and wine and we make the latkes. We've never had anyone decline on grounds of tackiness, nor comment on the fact that the house smells like oil for days afterwards. I really don't understand this obsession with etiquette. As long as people are not outright rude or cruel, they should do what they want, when they want, with whom they want. And if someone doesn't want to participate, they're free not to do so.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I find judging your friends for serving pasta and bagged salad tacky....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah that's the impression I am getting! Anything elegant must also have a WASPY derivation or cost tons of money, apparently (according to the other thread).

I find these threads entertaining in part because they bear no resemblance to my life. I do not sit around debating if things are tacky. If someone invites me to a bridal shower, I may decline because I find showers insanely boring, but not because I am judging the bride. If someone invites me to a third baby shower I will happily go celebrate (although I dislike baby showers too). I love potlucks, pizza parties, etc. We regularly host people for low-key latke parties. Friends bring dessert and wine and we make the latkes. We've never had anyone decline on grounds of tackiness, nor comment on the fact that the house smells like oil for days afterwards. I really don't understand this obsession with etiquette. As long as people are not outright rude or cruel, they should do what they want, when they want, with whom they want. And if someone doesn't want to participate, they're free not to do so.

I totally agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

One of the prerogatives of being a WASP is not caring what others think of you. Adopt that attitude for a happier life, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

One of the prerogatives of being a WASP is not caring what others think of you. Adopt that attitude for a happier life, OP.

Not OP but I'm quite happy not being a WASP. Seems so constricting when you have to worry about etiquette and traditions and elegance and tackiness. I'll take my loud Jewish family any day.

[Anonymous]

I thought WASPs were notoriously frugal. Does that not carry over into entertaining?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

One of the prerogatives of being a WASP is not caring what others think of you. Adopt that attitude for a happier life, OP.

So DCUM try-hards who call things "tacky" are tacky?

[Anonymous]

I am from a very WASPy family (social register and all), but I find some aspects of WASP culture to be tacky, like the bigotry and elitism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

Well, plenty of WASPs are tacky too. Basically anything too showy or attention-seeking is tacky. Understated elegance - they keyword being understated.

These days, many people don't know how to do anything in an understated way. Its all "LOOK AT ME!!!!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from a very WASPy family (social register and all), but I find some aspects of WASP culture to be tacky, like the bigotry and elitism.

+1

Being overly judgmental of individuals - especially based on ethnic or socioeconomic background - is a hallmark of WASPs and definitely NAGL. I don't know if it's tacky, but it is certainly not in line with their supposed advocacy of meritocracy and capitalism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

One of the prerogatives of being a WASP is not caring what others think of you. Adopt that attitude for a happier life, OP.

Not OP but I'm quite happy not being a WASP. Seems so constricting when you have to worry about etiquette and traditions and elegance and tackiness. I'll take my loud Jewish family any day.

When you are raised a certain way you don't "worry" about etiquette and traditions, they are simply a part of your life. Its the non WASPS who worry about that stuff because they innately know that they can't keep pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to DCUM the only way to not be tacky is to born WASP. Everyone else is tacky.

One of the prerogatives of being a WASP is not caring what others think of you. Adopt that attitude for a happier life, OP.

Not OP but I'm quite happy not being a WASP. Seems so constricting when you have to worry about etiquette and traditions and elegance and tackiness. I'll take my loud Jewish family any day.

When you are raised a certain way you don't "worry" about etiquette and traditions, they are simply a part of your life. Its the non WASPS who worry about that stuff because they innately know that they can't keep pace.

Keep pace with what? There are more of us than you.

[Anonymous]

Yes, attention seeking, being vulgar and ostentatious, being money-grabbing are all tacky things. In that sense, a third baby shower is tacky in principle, because it's asking for baby items for the third time in a row. Having a latke party is not tacky because it's understated, simple fun. I think someone with a real WASP mindset would totally enjoy a latke party. Tacky is not the opposite of elegant.

[Anonymous]

I'm a WASP and would love to be invited to a latke party, that sounds like great fun! A third baby shower, however, does not sound like fun. No baby showers really do, but I'll go to one for a first baby to be nice and supportive.